Switch construction



June 1, 1948. LINK SWITCH CONSTRUCTION 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 2,1944 I l I l l I I l I INVEN TOR [bu/Md {/A/A BY- June 1, 1948.

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QA'HUZ June 1, 1948. E. A. LINK 2,442,464

SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed June 2, 1944 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 June 1, 19 2 E.A. LINK SWITCH CONSTRUCTION 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 2, 1944 mvmron[bu/A14 11M Arron/ex June 1, 1948. UNK 2,442,464

swncn conswaucnon Filed June 2, 1944 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 g INVENTOR.

k KW ATTORNEY June 1, 1948. E. A. LINK SWITCH CONSTRUCTION 9Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed June 2, 1944 rVV////// INVENTOR.

[bid/1V A. l/Mr Patented June 1, 1948 Umri-io STATES PATENT orn'cs2,442,464 SWITCH CONSTRUCTION i Edwin A. Link, South Milwaukee, Wis.,assignor to Line Material Company, 7 corporation of Delaware Milwaukee,Wis;, a

Application June 2, 1944, Serial No. 538,365 15 Claims. (Cl. 200-116)This invention relates to a switch construction.

In greater detail, this invention relates primarily to a switchconstruction of the circuit breaker type.

Objects of this invention are to provide a circuit breaker which has aquick make and a quick break, which has condition responsive means ofthe trip type, which is so constructed that it releases the circuitbreaker so that the circuit breaker will open under predeterminedconditions, and which is provided with a handle or other operating meansfor normally opening and closing the circuit breaker and for resettingthe trip means, the trip means and the operating means being so relatedthat the trip means will operate to release the circuit breakerirrespective of the position of the operating means and irrespective ofany motion that the operating means may be executing at the time thetrip means operates so that the trip means is trip free and will operateno matter whether the operating means is forcibly held in closedposition or is being moved from one position to another.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker which is so constructedthat the circuit breaker cannot be closed until the trip means has movedback to normal position, and in which the resetting oi the trip means isaccomplished by moving the operating means towards open position, suchmotion being followed by movement to closed position after the resettingof the trip means when it is desired to again close the circuit breakerafter the occurrence of the predetermined condition.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker construction which maybe installed within a transformer casing and may be mounted above orsubmerged in the oil in the transformer casing,-

if desired, and which may be arranged so that the thermostatic meansresponds solely to the heat generated by the current passing through thethermostatic means or to the combined action or the heat of the oil fromthe transformer as well as the heat due to current passing through thethermostatic means or which may be arranged to respond solely to theheat of the oil.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker which has a heavycontact pressure when it is closed, in which this heavy contact pressureis maintained during the operation of the circuit breaker until theinstant at which the contacts are suddenly separated, thereby avoidingburning of the contacts under overload conditions.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker in which the trip meansis required to exert only a very small force in order to cause automaticoperation, the relation of the parts insuring relatching without anychance of wedging or Jamming either the trip mechanism as a whole or anyportion of the latch means.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker which has switchoperating means adapted to selectively pivot about either of twodifferent movable pivots, the pivotal motion occurring about the firstpivot due to the motion 01 the second pivot when the circuit breaker isautomatically actuated and occurring about the second pivot when thecircuit breaker is manually operated, the second pivot after automaticoperation being restored to its initial position when the circuitbreaker is manually reset.

Further objects are to which is so made that it has a quick opening andquick closing motion when it is manually or automatically opened or whenit is manually closed, respectively, which has spring actuated quickacting means so arranged that the quick acting means is adapted to rockover dead center, when manually operated, and is mechanicall assisted inthis motion at approximately the instant that it is passing dead center,and which is so constructed that although the spring means may break,nevertheless the circuit breaker may be positively manually openedindependently of any spring action, thus providing additional securityin the operation of the circuit breaker.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the circuit breaker, such viewcorresponding to a section on the line ll of Figure 2, and showing thecircuit breaker in closed position.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1 and on the line22 of Figure 3'.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 3 with some of theparts shown in full, such view showing the circuit breaker in manuallyopen position.

Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 showing some of the partsin full and showing the circuit breaker in automatically trippedposition.

Figure 8 is a top plan view with the cover removed and with parts brokenaway.

view on the line 44 or view on the line 5-5 of provide a circuit breakerFigure 9 is a fragmentary view showing the circuit breaker mounted in atransformer casing.

Figure 10 is a view taken on the line ill-l of Figure 9.

Figure 11 shows the circuit breaker positioned in a casing for wallmounting.

Figure 12 is a wiring diagram.

The circuit breaker comprises a base portion 1 formed of insulatingmaterial and provided with a raised, centrally located portion 2 whichhas an upwardly extending, integral projecting part or stop member 3. Atop portion 4 is also formed of insulating material and is spacedupwardly from the base portion. The top is provided with a pair ofdownwardly extending integral leg portions 5 which flt within recesses 5formed in the base. The legs 5 are joined by an integral transverse webor bar 1. A cover 8 is provided above the top portion 4 and is suitablyseated in a flanged marginal portion of the top 4 as shown. A metalcasing or housing 3 is positioned between the top and bottom portionsand is seated in grooves formed in such portions. The cover, top andbottom portions are held together by means of a pair of front tie rodsiii and a rear tie rod 1 I.

It will be seen that the construction provides a relatively large housedportion between the base i and the top 4 within which substantially allof the operating mechanism is positioned and that the space between thecover 8 and the top 4 provides a housed space within which thethermostatic members or condition responsive means is positioned.

The circuit breaker chosen for illustration is a two pole circuitbreaker provided with a pair of stationar contacts i2 which areconnected to the line terminals 13. The movable contacts are indicatedat 13 and are in the form of plug-shaped members secured to rigid arms.15, see Figure 1. The movable contacts are each carried by achannel-shaped metal member 13 and are freely slidable through the rearwall of such member. Each movable contact I3 is urged outwardly by aspring 11. The metal channel-shaped members 16 loosely house the rigidarms 15. The metal channel members 16 are rigidly secured to a rockshaft indicated generally at 18. This rock shaft, as shown most clearlyin Figure 3, is provided with a rectangular metal center member 19 whichis encased in a rectangular insulating sheath 20. The rigid arms l5 areconnected to flexible leads or conductors 2| which extend upwardly onopposite sides of the device and are connected to connecting portions 22in turn electrically connected to the right and left-hand pair ofthermostatic members, as may be seen from Figures 1 and 8.

Each pair of thermostatic means comprises an outer thermostatic member23 adapted to control a light switch and an inner thermostatic member 24adapted to control the circuit breaker. These thermostatic members arebimetal members and will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Thethermostatic members 23 and 24 are individually anchored at their rearends and adjacent their free ends are electrically joined by means offlexible connectors 25 to the load terminals 26, see Figure 8. Thispermits independent mechanical motion of the thermostatic members 23 and24 although such members are electrically connected. The purpose of thiswill appearhereinafter.

Switch operating means in the form of a channel-shaped metal member 21is rigidly secured to the shaft l3, as shown in Figures 3, 6 and '7. Theswitch operating means 21 is provided with elongated, longitudinallyextending slots 28 in its side walls within which flanged rollers 29 areadapted to travel. The rollers 29 are carried by a transverse shaft 30.The shaft 30 is carried by an actuator formed of a pair of members 3|which are pivoted as indicated at 32 to a rigid channelshaped frame 33.The frame 33 is carried by the transverse web 1. The rollers 29 and theshaft 30 constitute the flrst pivot means and are adapted to rock theswitch to open and closed position when the actuator is rocked about thepivot pins 32 in a manner hereinafter to appear.

The upper end of the switch operating means 21 has spaced arms which areprovided with a second pivot means which consists of shafts 34 uponwhich rollers 35 are mounted, see Figures 1, i and 'I. The rollers 35are adapted to travel in arcuate slots 36 formed in the rigid frame 33and the shaft and rollers constitute the second pivot means for theswitch operating member 21. Normally the second pivot means is heldlocked in its outermost position, that is to say, adjacent theright-hand end of the slot 36 as viewed in Figure 1, by means of themain latch lever 31. This latch lever is provided with a pair of armslocated on opposite sides of the rigid frame 33 and pivoted as indicatedat 38 to such frame.

The arms are joined by means of a transverse web 39 provided with cutout portions 40, see Figure 4.

Biasing means are provided which bias the second pivot means 33, 35 tothe left as viewed in Figures 4 and '1. This biasing means consists of acompression spring 4| which bears at opposite ends against U-shaped baillike members 42 and 43. The ball like member 42 is loosely pivoted onthe pins 38 and the bail like member 43 is loosely pivoted on the pins34. A flat bar 44 extends loosely through the spring 4! .and through thebail member 43 and is secured to the bail member 42. However, as statedthe second pivot means 34, 35 is prevented from moving to the left undernormal conditions by means of the latch lever 31. Each of the arms ofthe latch lever is provided with a downwardly projecting portion 45, seeFigure l, which is provided with a face 43 which has a, slightslant, asmay be seen from Figure 1 so that it acts like a cam and tends to biasthe latch lever 31 towards clockwise or unlatching motion. It is also tobe noted that the latch lever, due to the fact that its right-handportion is heavier than its left-hand portion, is also biased towardsclockwise motion by means of gravity.

The latch lever is normally prevented from moving to releasing positionby means of a latch bar 41 pivoted intermediate its ends by means of theheaded screw member 48 to the web 39 of the latch lever, as shown mostclearly in Figure 2. The latch bar 41 is provided with a pair ofoutwardly projecting end portions 49 which are engaged by downwardlyprojecting fingers 50 of a spring 51 loosely coiled about the member 48.

The parts are so arranged, as may be seen from Figures 2, 3 and 4, thatthe fingers 50 bear against the front face of the web 39 of the mainlatch lever and thus normally hold the latch bar 41 in a definitepredetermined position transversely of the main latch lever 31.Auxiliary latch bar. see Figure 3. These auxiliary latches or latchmembers 52 are urged in a counterclockwise direction by means of springs55. They are normally prevented from rotation by means of shoulderedportions 53 formed thereon and respectively engaging circular pads ormembers 51 rigid with threaded stems, 38. which stems are threadedthrough insulating blocks 59 rigidly carried by the outer or free endsof the inner thermostatic members 24. Adjusting knobs 30 are carried byeach of the threaded stems 58 but are not threaded thereon. Nuts 6| andwashers 82 are also carried by the threaded stems 58 and springs 33 bearagainst the nuts and against washers 64 which in turn rest upon fittings65 carried by the insulating blocks 58, see Figure 3. The fittings 65are each provided with an upturned finger 68 which is adapted to beengaged by the upturned finger 61 to thereby limit the extent ofrotation of the adjusting knob 60.

It is to be noted that bimetal thermostatic members vary due todifferences in material and in the process followed in theirmanufacture. Wide variations are taken care of by properly adjusting thethreaded stems 58, it being noted that the upper end of the stems areslotted to receive a screw driver. After proper adjustment has beenobtained, the knobs 60 are soldered or otherwise secured to the threadedshanks 58. Thereafter a certain range of adjustment is permitted as theknobs 60 may be rotated approximately a full revolution. In other words,the range through which the thermostatic members are to work isdetermined by the rough adjustment of the stems 58 in the insulatingmembers 59 by means of a screw driver, as previously described, andwithin this range the exact adjustment at which the thermostatic membersare adapted to release the trip means is determined by the adjustment ofthe knobs 60.

The pin 53 may be carried b upturned arms 68 integral with a plate 69secured to the top portion 4. The plate 69 is provided with projectingfingers 10 which are adapted to be engaged by the extensions 1| of theauxiliary latches 52 to thus limit their counterclockwise motion.

It is to be noted that each of the auxiliary latches 52 is provided witha cam like extension or finger 12. The purpose of these fingers 12 willbe apparent when the operation of one of the thermostatic members 24 isconsidered. Suppose. for example, that one of the thermostatic members24 operates and releases its auxiliary latch 52. This latch will executea counterclockwise motion and in so doing the fingers 12 will strike thecorresponding finger 49 of the latch bar and will rock the latch bar andcause disengagement of the other end of the latch bar from the otherauxiliary latch 52, thus releasing the main latch lever 31. If boththermostatic members 24 release their auxiliary latches 52simultaneously, it will be seen that both auxiliary latches move awayfrom the transversely extending latch bar and disengage the respectiveends 49 thereof and allow the main latch lever 31 to move to releasingposition.

The automatic release on overload is apparent from the above describedstructure. For example, when one or both of the thermostatic members orcondition responsive members 24 releases its corresponding auxiliarylatch lever 52, the main latch lever 31 will rock in a clockwisedirection due to the fact that it is biased by gravity towards thismotion as its right-hand end is considerably longer than its left-handend. However, it is more heavily biased towards this releasing motiondue to the fact that the latching face 48, see Figure 1, is in realitya. cam face and the pressure 01 the second pivot means 34, 35 againstsuch face tends to cause clockwise or releasing rocking motion oi themain latch lever 31. When the main latch lever 31 releases the secondpivot means 34, 35, the switch operating mean 21 pivots about the firstpivot means 29, 30 as it is biased towards counterclockwise motion bymeans of the spring 4| and the switch operating means and movablecontacts |4 move from the position shown in Figures 1 and 3 to theposition shown in Figure 7.-

Main operating means are provided for operating the switch and forresetting the automatic tripping means. This main operating meanscomprises a U-shaped, bail like member 13 which is pivoted as indicatedat 14 on opposite sides of the stationary frame 33. The main operatingmember 13 may be rocked from the position shown in Figures 1 and 3 tothat shown in Figure 6 in any suitable manner, as by means of connectinglinks 15 pivotally connected by means of a transverse pin 16 with themain operating means 13 at their outer ends and at their inner endspivoted to a crank 11 rigidly mounted on a transverse rock shaft 18carried in suitable supports and extending laterally through one side ofthe housing 3 as shown in Figure 5.

The rock shaft 18 may be operated in any suitable manner as by means ofa handle 19 located externally of a. transformer casing 80, the circuitbreaker being preferably carried by the transformer indicated generallyby the reference character 8| and mounted below the level 82 of the oilwithin the casing, see Figure 9. Obviously the rock shaft 18 could beoperated in any other manner desired, as by means of cranks and linkmechanism from a rock shaft mounted above the oil level if desired. Ifthe outwardly projecting extension 83 of the rock shaft is below the oillevel 82, a suitable packing is provided to prevent loss of oil.

The main operating means 13 is connected by means of a pair of springs84 with the first pivot means 29, 30. Preferably fittings 85 and 86 areprovided for the outer ends of the springs 84. These fittings are seatedwithin grooves formed in the pins or shafts 16 and 30, see Figure 3. Thefitting 85 is mounted between the flanged rollers 29. It is alsopreferable to provide collars 88 on the shaft 18 to prevent shifting ofsuch main operating shaft.

The main operating member 13 is provided with Pins 89 which projectinwardly from opposite sides and which are adapted tooperate withinslots 90 formed in opposite sides of the frame 33. These pins projectinto cut out portions 9| in the actuator formed of the members 3|. It isto be noted that the cut out portions 9| in the actuators 3| are soshaped that shoulders 92 are provided, see Figure 3. The purpose ofthese shoulders will appear from the following description of the manualoperation of the apparatus.

Assume that the circuit breaker is in closed position and it is desiredto manually open it. This is accomplished by rocking the rock shaft 13and thereby moving the main operating means 13 from the position shownin Figures 1 and 3 to the position shown in Figure 6. ,During thisrocking motion theline of pull of the springs 84 will pass across thepivot means 32 of the actuator composed of the members 3| and will causethe actuator to suddenly rock in a clockwise direction to the positionshown in Figure 6, thereby suddenly opening the circuit breaker;

Obviously closing motion is accomplished by moving the main operatingmeans from the position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown inFigure 3, the closing motion of the circuit breaker being very quick inview of the fact that the line of pull of the springs again crosses thepivot 32 of the actuator in passing from the position shown in Figure 6to that shown in Figure 3. The shoulders 92 on the members 3|constituting the actuator, see Figure 3, have a double function. One ofthe functions is to start motion of the actuator at approximatelytheinstant that the line of pull of the springs 84 is crossing the pivotpoint of the actuator when the main operating means 13 is being movedfrom the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 6. The otherpurpose of the shoulders 92 is to insure opening of the circuit breakerby positive engagement between the pins 89 and the shoulders 92 eventhough the springs 04 should break,

- thus providing this additional safety feature.

The resetting after automatic tripping is accomplished by moving themain operating means 13 from the position shown in Figure 7 to theposition shown in Figure 6. Prior to the time that the main operatingmeans 13 arrives at the position shown in Figure 6, it will be notedthat the line of pull of the springs 84 passes across the pivot point ofthe actuator and consequently pulls the upper end of the switchoperating means 21 to the right as viewed in "Figure 6, thus compressingthe spring 4i as the springs 84 exert a greater force than the spring4i. It is to be noted that the projecting portion 3 which extendsupwardly from the base I is engaged by the transverse insulated shaft I8of the switch operating means 21 during this resetting operation andconsequently the switch operating means 21 pivots about the point ofengagement between the shaft I8 and the projection 3. As the mainoperating'means 13 continues upwardly to the position shown in Figure 6,it will engage the downwardly projecting portions 93 of the main latchlever 31 and will rock such main latch lever to the position shown inFigure 6, the second pivot means 34, 35 having been first positioned tothe right of the hook-shaped left-hand, end of the main latching lever31.

It is to be noted also that the auxiliary latches 52 are also reset. Ifboth of the auxiliary latch levers 52 have been released by simultaneousaction of the thermostatic members 24, it will be noted that the latchbar 41 will move upwardly and will simultaneously engage the camportions 12 of each of the auxiliary latch levers 52 and will rock suchlatch levers to the position shown in Figure 6. During this motion,assuming that the thermostatic members 24 have cooled, the cam likeportion 94 of the auxiliary levers will ride beneath the stops or pads51 and will slightly raise the pads until the latching faces 56 of theauxiliary latch levers 52 are to the right as viewed in Figure 6 of themembers 51. Thereafter when the main operating means 13 is moveddownwardly towards closed position from the. position shown in Figure 6,the transverse latch bar will rest upon the fiat portions or hookportions 54 of the auxiliary latch levers 52.

If only one of the thermostatic members 24 had operated, its auxiliarylatch lever 52 would be released but the other latch lever would stillbe held by its thermostatic member 24. Under these conditions when themain latch lever 31 is rocked from the position shown in Figure '1 tothat shown in Figure 6 during resetting, the appropriate end 40 of thelatch bar will first engage the cam portion12 of the released auxiliarylatch lever 52 and its opposite end 49 will be rocked inwardly and willthus clear the hook portion of the unreleased auxiliary latch member 52.Continued upward motion of the latch lever 31 will cause the latch bar41 to reset the released auxiliary latch lever 52 as the cam portion 12of the unreleased auxiliary latch lever 52 will rock the latch bar 41 byengaging one end 09 thereof and cause the other end 49 to rock inwardlyand reset the released auxiliary latch lever 62.

A pair of signal switch members are provided and are connected together.Each signal switch member comprises a stationary contact member and amovable contact member 90 normally spring urged towards open position asshown in Figure 1. These signal switches are connected in parallel as isobvious and in series with a signal lamp or other signal means indicatedby the reference character 01 in Figures 9 and 12. This signal lamp maybe supplied from either secondary winding 90 of the transformer 90, seeFigure 12, or may be, in the preferred form, supplied from a separatesecondary of the transformer 99. The signal switch means are controlledby the outer thermostatic members 23, see Figures 1 and 8. Thesethermostatic members are provided with insulating blocks IOI at theirfree ends through which threaded stems I02 pass. These stems areprovided with pads or stop members I03 and with adjusting knobs I04 ofidentically the same construction as those previously described andinitially set and subsequently accurately adjusted in exactly the samemanner as that previously described.

The independence of the adjustment of the members 60 and I04 andsuch'other associated parts relating thereto form the subject matter ofthe copending application of Alwin G. Steinmayer for Switchconstructions, Serial No. 536,335, filed May 19, 1944.

Each thermostatic member 23 controls a signal switch operating means I05which is mounted opposite the movable contact 96 of the signal switchand which is urged by means of a spring I08 in a counterclockwisedirection towards signal switch closing motion. It is normallyrestrained by the engagement of the shoulder I01 of the signal switchoperating means I05 with the stop or pad I03 of the thermostatic member.When the thermostatic member releases the signal switch operating meansI05, such signal switch operating means closes its signal switch. Thesignal switch operating means I05 is provided with a cam face I08 sothat the cam face will ride beneath and raise the pad or stop I03 whenthe signal switch operating means I05 is reset.

Each signal switch operating means I05 is pivotally mounted upon afixedly positioned pin I09 carried by the stationary arms of a bracketIIO secured to the top 4. Preferably sleeves I09 have their ends rivetedto the members I05 to provide extensive bearing surfaces on the pinsI09. The signal switch operating means I05 are provided with projectingpins III which are adapted to be engaged by the upper ends of re settinglevers I I2 pivotally supported on the shaft II3 which in turn issupported from the base I,

see Figures 1 and 2. Preferably tubular members or sleeves II4 areriveted as indicated at II5 to the resetting levers H2 so as to providethe re setting levers with elongated bearings which are supported by theshaft I It.

The levers Z are provided with cam portions H6 adapted to be engaged bythe transverse pin ll of the main operating means 13 when such mainoperating means is rocked upwardly. The cam portions N8 of the resettinglevers H2 are so positioned that resetting takes place when the mainoperating means 13 ismoved towards switch open position but prior to theopening of the circuit breaker so that it is possible, if it becomesdesirable, to open the signal switch means by resetting the signalswitch operating means without opening the circuit breaker.

The adjustment of I02, see Figures 1 and 3, which are supported from thethermostatic members 24 and 23 respectively, is such that any desiredspread between current values required to operate the respectivetiicrmostatic members may .be obtained so that the signal switch meanswill be closed for a current value and time interval less than that forwhich the circuit breaker will be opened.

The circuit breaker may be adapted for wall mounting as indicated inFigure 11 and may be completely housed as indicated at 9 and may beprovided with an external lever or arm [9 for operating such circuitbreaker. The signal lamp or other signal means, not shown in Figure 11,may be mounted either on the casing of the circuit breaker or at anydesired point.

Referring to the wiring diagram of Figure 12, it will be seen that theprimary of the transformer is indicated by the reference character H7and that the secondary has a grounded neutral in the particular formchosen for illustration. It is obvious that either a single pole circuitbreaker could be used where a single secondary is employed or a two polecircuit breaker could be used for the three wire grounded neutral systemshown in Figure 12, or any number of polescould be provided by suitablyextending the shaft l8, see Figure l, and providing it with thenecessary number of movable contacts I 4 and providing a correspondingnumber oi. stationary contacts [2.

It will be seen that a circuit breaker has been provided which has aquick closing motion when it is manually closed and which has a quickopening motion when it is either manually or automatically opened. Itwill be seen that the circuit breaker has heavy contact pressure thoughit may be easily operated either automatically or manually.

It will be seen further that relatively simple means are provided forautomatically releasing the circuit breaker on overload and that themanual means is so arranged in collaboration with the automatic releasemeans so as to reset the release means after automatic release when themanual means is moved towards switch open position without danger ofjamming any of the parts.

It will be seen further that the switch operating means is so arrangedthat it is adapted to pivot about either of two pivot means so that whenit is manually operated, it pivots about one of the pivot means and whenit is automatically actuated, it pivots about the other of the pivotmeans.

It will be seen further that the circuit breaker is trip free and willrelease itself no matter whether the main operating means is forciblyheld in switch closed position or is moving from one position to anotherposition.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it isto be understood that the threaded stems 50 and such description isintended as illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may bevariously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

I claim:

1. A circuit breaker comprising contact means, switch operating meansfor opening and closing said contact means, a first and a second pivotmeans, said first pivot means being movable longitudinally of saidswitch operating means for causing said switch operating means to pivotabout said second pivot means to open and close said contact means, mainoperating means for causing said first pivot means to movelongitudinally of said switch operating means, said second pivot meansbeing a normally stationary pivot means about which said switchoperating means normally bodily pivots, means biasing said second pivotmeans towards motion to cause said switch operating means to bodily rockabout said first pivot means to open said contact means, and conditionresponsive means normally restraining said second pivot means againstmotion and releas ing said second pivot means for motion upon theoccurrence of a predetermined condition.

2. A circuit breaker comprising contact means, switch operating meansfor opening and closing said contact means, a first pivot meansintermediate the ends of said switch operating means and a second pivotmeans adjacent one end of said switch operating means, said switchoperating means being adapted to selectively bodily pivot about saidfirst or said second pivot means, main operating means operativelycoupled to said first pivot means for rocking said switch operatingmeans bodily about said second pivot means to open and close saidcontact means, said second pivot means being a normally stationary pivotmeans, means biasing said second pivot means for motion to cause saidswitch operating means to rock about said first pivot means to open saidcontact means, and condition responsive means normally preventing motionof said second pivot means and releasing said second pivot means formotion upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition.

3. A circuit breaker comprising contact means, switch operating meansfor opening and closin said contact means, a first and a second pivotmeans, said first pivot means being movable longitudinally of saidswitch operating means for causing said switch operating means to pivotabout said second pivot means to open and close said contact means, mainoperating means for causing said first pivot means to movelongitudinally of said switch operating means, said second pivot meansbeing a normally stationary pivot means about which said switchoperating means normally bodily pivots, means biasing said second pivotmeans towards motion laterally of said switch operating means to causesaid switch operating means to bodily rock about said first pivot meansto open said contact means, and condition responsive means normallyrestraining said second pivot means against motion and releasing saidsecond pivot means for motion upon the occurrence of a predeterminedcondition.

4. A circuit breaker comprising contact means, switch operating meansfor opening and closing said contact means, a first and a second pivotmeans, said first pivot means being movable longitudinally of saidswitch operating means for causing said switch operating means to pivotabout said second pivot means to open and close said contact means, mainoperating means for causing said first pivot means to movelongitucondition responsive means normally restraining said second pivotmeans against motion and releasing said second pivot means for motionupon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, said main operatingmeans coacting with said second pivot means tomove said second pivotmeans back to its initial position when said main operating means ismoved to switch open position after release of said second pivot means.

5. A circuit breaker comprising contact means. switch operating meansfor opening and closing said contact means, a first and a second pivotmeans, said first pivot means being movable longitudinally or saidswitch operating means for causing said switch operating means to pivotabout said second pivot means to open and close said contact means, mainoperating means for causing said first pivot means to movelongitudinally of said switch operating means, said second pivot meansbeing a normally stationary pivot means about which said switchoperating means normally bodily pivots, means biasing said second pivotmeans towards motion to cause said switch operating means to bodily rockabout said first pivot means to open said contact means, and conditionresponsive means normally restraining said second pivot means againstmotion and releasing said second pivot means for motion upon theoccurrence of a predetermined condition, said main operating meanscoacting with said second pivot means to move said second pivot meanstransversely of said switch operating means back to its initial positionwhen said main operating means is moved to switch open position afterrelease of said second pivot means.

6. A switch construction comprising stationary contact means, movablecontact means, switch operating means for moving said movable contactmeans into and out of contact with said stationary contact means, afirst pivot means movable longitudinally of said switch operating meansfor moving said switch operating means, a second movable pivot meanspivotally supporting said switch operating means and biased towardsmotion to move said switch operating means to switch open position, andcondition responsive means controlling said second pivot means.

7. A switch construction comprising stationary contact means, movablecontact means, switch operating means for moving said movable contactmeans into and out of contact with said stationary contact means, a.first pivot means movable longitudinally of said switch operating meansfor moving said switch operating means, a second movable pivot meanspivotally supporting said switch operating means and biased towardsmotion to move said switch operating means to switch open position,condition responsive means controlling said second pivot means, andmeans for guiding said second pivot means.

8. A switch construction comprising stationary contact means, movablecontact means, switch operating means for moving said movable contactmeans into and out of contact with said stationary contact means, afirst pivot means movable longitudinally of said switch operating meansfor moving said switch operating means, an actuator carrying said firstpivot means,

spring means having one end attached to said actuator, main operatingmeans attached to the other end of said spring means ior moving saidspring means to cause motion of said actuator, a second movable pivotmeans pivotally supportingsaid switch operating means and biased towardsmotion to move said switch operating means to switch open position, andcondition responsive means controlling said second pivot means.

9. A switch construction comprising stationary contact means, movablecontact means, switch operating means for moving said movable contactmeansinto and out of contact with said stationary contact means, a firstpivot means movable longitudinally of said switch operating means formoving said switch operating means,

'a pivoted actuator carrying said first pivot means, spring meansoperatively coupled to said actuator, main operating means for movingthe line of action of said spring means back and forth across the pivotpoint of said actuator to move said first pivot means back and forthlongitudinally of said switch operating means, a second movable pivotmeans pivotally supporting said switch operating means and biasedtowards motion to move said switch operating means to switch openposition, and condition responsive means controlling said second pivotmeans.

10. A switch construction comprising stationary contact means, movablecontact means, switch operating means for moving said movable contactmeans into and out of contact with said stationary contact means, afirst pivot means movable longitudinally of said switch operating meansfor moving said switch operating means, a second movable pivot meanspivotally supporting said switch operating means and biased towardsmotion to move said switch operating means to switch open position, amain latch lever normally latching said second pivot means againstmotion, and condition responsive means controlling said main latchlever.

11. A switch construction comprising stationary contact means, movablecontact means, switch operating means for moving said movable contactmeans into and out of contact with said stationary contact means, afirst pivot means movable longitudinally of said switch operating meansfor moving said switch operating means, a second movable pivot meanspivotally supporting said switch operating means and biased towardsmotion to move said switch operating means to switch open position, amain latch lever normally latching said second pivot means againstmotion, condition responsive means controlling said main latch lever,and main operating means for moving said first pivot means to operatesaid switch operating means, said main operatin means when moved toswitch open position coacting with said second pivot means to 13 towardsreleasing motion and normally holding said second pivot means againstmotion, condition responsive means controlling said main latch lever,and main operating means for moving said first pivot means to operatesaid switch means, said main operating means when moved to switch openposition after an operation of said condition responsive means coactingwith said second pivot means and said main latch lever to move saidsecond pivot means back to its initial position and said main latchlever back to latc g position.

13. A switch construction comprising stationary contact means, movablecontact means, switch operating means for moving said movable contactmeans into and out of contact with said stationary contact means, afirst pivot means movable longitudinally of said switch operating meansfor moving said switch operating means, a second movable pivot meanspivotally supporting said switch operating means and biased towardsmotion to move said switch operating means to switch open position, amain latch lever biased towards releasing motion and normally holdingsaid second pivot means against motion, condition responsive meanscontrolling said main latch lever, and main operating means for movingsaid first pivot means to operate said switch means, said main operatingmeans when moved to switch open position after an operation of saidcondition responsive means coacting with said second pivot means andsaid main latch lever to first move said second pivot means back to itsinitial position and to thereafter move said main latch lever back tolatching position,

14. A switch construction comprising stationary contact means, movablecontact means, switch operating means for moving said movable contactmeans into and out of contact with said stationary contact means, afirst pivot means movable longitudinally of said switch operating meansfor moving said switch operating means, an actuator carrying said firstpivot means, spring means having one end attached to said actuator, mainoperating means attached to the other end of said spring means formoving said spring means to cause motion of said actuator, a secondmovable pivot means pivotally supporting said switch 14 operating meansand biased towards motion to move said switch operating means to switchopen position, a frame having a, slot for guiding said second pivotmeans, a, main latch lever pivoted to said frame and normally holdingsaid second pivot means against motion, and condition responsive meanscontrolling said main latch lever.

15. A switch construction comprising stationary contact means, movablecontact means, switch operating means for moving said movable contactmeans into and out of contact with said stationary contact means, afirst pivot means movable longitudinally of said switch operating meansfor moving said switch operating means, an actuator carrying said firstpivot means, spring means having one end attached to said actuator, mainoperating means attached to the other end of said spring means formoving said spring means to cause motion of said actuator, a secondmovable pivot means pivotally supporting said switch operating means andbiased towards motion to move said switch operating means to switch openposition, a frame having a slot for guiding said second pivot means, amain latch lever pivoted to said frame and normally holding said secondpivot means against motion and biased towards releasing motion, andcondition responsive means controlling said main latch lever, said mainoperating means being pivoted on said frame and coacting with saidsecond pivot means and with said main latch lever to first move saidsecond pivot means back to its initial position and to thereafter movesaid main latch lever to latching position when said main operatingmeans is moved to switch open position after an operation of saidcondition responsive means.

EDWIN A. LINK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Runke Nov. 6, 1945

